Governor Northam plans to use more than $862 million in federal COVID relief funding to replenish Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which took a big hit paying benefits during the pandemic. Northam also proposes another $147 million for upgrades and improvements to help the Virginia Employment Commission better handle unemployment claims. By many measures, Virginia…… Continue Reading
A southwest Virginia man will serve a 12-year federal sentence for filing almost a half million dollars in fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefits. 28-year-old Gregory Tackett was sentenced today. Back in April, he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to file for and receive benefits they knew they were not entitled to. NEWS RELEASE: ABINGDON, Va.…… Continue Reading
Still under development, the 550-acre Summit View Business Park in Franklin County will eventually feature recreation amenities like trails and event space. Today however the first business to open there – Stik-Pak Solutions – cut the ribbon to make their opening official. Stik-Pak Solutions is a contract packaging firm and relocated to Franklin County from…… Continue Reading
Republican leaders in the General Assembly say they are being entirely excluded from the process of determining how Virginia should allocate more than $4 billion in federal COVID relief money coming to Virginia.. State lawmakers will decide where that money should go in a special session that begins Monday. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more: 07-27…… Continue Reading
NEWS RELEASE: On July 25th, 2021, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a stolen enclosed trailer that contained equipment and power tools. The trailer was stolen from the Bridgewater Area of Franklin County and has since been located in Roanoke. All of the tools and equipment were stolen from inside of the…… Continue Reading
An English teacher in Japan who grew up in the Roanoke Valley is weighing in on reports that the Japanese don’t want the Olympics there while the fight against COVID-19 continues. WFIR’s Ian Price has more: 07-27 Japan Reax WRAP The post Vinton native discusses how Japanese feel about Olympics first appeared on News/Talk 960-AM…… Continue Reading
With the more-contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 running rampant elsewhere – could there be a “tipping point” where the masks have to go on again – and we have to stay socially distant? A local health system director says that’s unlikely at this point, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: 7-27 Bissell Wrap#1 The post Is…… Continue Reading
As the college football season draws closer UVA took part in the ACC Kickoff media event last week. 2nd year starter Cavaliers quarterback Brendan Armstrong was among those there: WPLY-MIN The post UVA returnees gear up for football season first appeared on News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR.… Continue Reading
HOPEWELL—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia plans to invest $500 million to improve ventilation and air quality in public schools, securing the completion of nearly all currently planned HVAC projects. The Commonwealth will allocate $250 million in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for necessary ventilation upgrades, which will be matched 1:1 by local…… Continue Reading
Over the past decade the number of veteran-owned businesses has dropped by more than 20 percent. So said 6th District Republican Congressman Ben Cline live in studio this morning. Last week he introduced the “Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2021,” which would allow qualified military veterans with solid business plans to access GI Bill grants for…… Continue Reading